l8 Barnard, Field Notes from Cape York. [i^f'luiv 



civilization, cheered by the knowledge that my trip had not been 

 altogether in vain. 



In the notes which follow, the technical names are according to 

 Mathews' " Hand-list." 



Dromseus novse-hollandlae. Emu. — Fairly plentiful ; several seen 

 within a mile of the Post-Office at Cape York ; said to be very- 

 plentiful a few miles further south. No eggs taken ; breeding season 

 early. Droppings full of fruit seeds. Birds were never seen in 

 scrub — in fact, they will not face it when hunted. 



Megapodius tumulus. Megapode. — Plentiful ; many nests noted, 

 one clutch of five eggs taken. Nests always built near edge of scrub ; 

 eggs always placed in rings, the centre of the nest being very hard ; 

 diameter of egg circle from 5 feet to 8 feet. Many of the nest-mounds 

 are of great size, and have been used for years. The mound being 

 so solid and the eggs placed so deep, wild pigs do not damage, as in 

 the case of Catheturus purpureicoUis. 



Catheturus purpureicollis. Barnard Brush-Turkey. — Plentiful, but 

 likely to diminish in numbers owing to the depredations of wild pigs, 

 which are overrunning the whole of Cape York Peninsula. All 

 nests found in scrubs contained only odd eggs, and were practically 

 ruined by the pigs. I opened only two mounds or nests in the open 

 forest, and they contained 10 and 11 eggs respectively. One of these 

 mounds had been visited by the pigs a few days previously. In this 

 case the mound was the nearer one to the scrub. It is my experience 

 that the pigs are gradually driving these birds from the scrub out 

 into the open parts to build their mounds. 



Ptilopus ewingi. Rose-crowned Fruit-Pigeon. — Plentiful in the 

 scrub when I arrived at end of September, but later on went to the 

 mangroves on the coast, where they breed freely. Nest unusually 

 frail, and placed at heights varying from 4 feet up to 40 feet. 

 Clutch, one egg. 



Lamprotreron superba. Purple-crowned Fruit-Pigeon. — Found this 

 bird plentiful all through the scrubs, where they were breeding, but 

 never observed any in or about the mangroves. Nest the usual 

 frail structure, but more strongly built than is the case with that of 

 Ptilopus ewingi, and generally placed on a horizontal limb or palm leaf 

 at heights varying from within hand's reach up to fully 40 feet from 

 the ground. Clutch, one egg. 



Megaloprepia assimilis. Allied Fruit-Pigeon. — Plentiful through all 

 the scrubs, where they breed, and also in the mangroves. Nest a frail 

 structure of sticks, placed on horizontal hmb or palm leaf, at heights 

 varying from 6 feet up to 40 feet or more. 



Myristieivora spilorrhoa. Nutmeg-Pigeon. — Observed in great 

 numbers, but the birds do not appear to breed freely on the main- 

 landj visiting the islands off the coast for the purpose. Clutch, one 

 egg. Nest a frail and rather fiat structure, placed in mangrove or 

 other tree at various heights. The eggs taken were in nests built 

 in forest trees. 



Geopelia humeralis. Barred-shouldered Dove. — Noticed in forest 

 country, plentiful and breeding. 



Geopelia placida. Peaceful Dove. — Fairly plentiful, but none 

 found breeding. 



